Water massage unit and method of use



I June 20, 1967 A. ROBERTS WATER MASSAGE UNIT AND METHOD OF USE Filed July 9, 1964 Hrfhur L Rob er '5 INVENTOR.

) AJA $4M H1 1" s.

United States Patent 3,326,210 WATER MASSAGE UNIT AND METHOD OF USE Arthur L. Roberts, 2015 NE. 53rd Ave.,

Portland, Oreg. 97213 Filed July 9, 1964, Ser. No. 381,328 Claims. (Cl. 128-66) This invention relates to massage apparatus, and more particularly to massage apparatus utilizing air flowing into water to produce water movement and the massaging effect desired. According to this invention air at low pressure is directed into water contained in a tub, and the turbulence that such produces in the water causes rhythmic light pounding of the water of the area to be massaged which is soothing and relaxing.

Certain prior known water massage devices have been characterized by a number of disadvantages, including being heavy, relatively expensive, cumbersome to use, etc. A distinguishing feature of the apparatus of this invention over these prior known devices is that it comprises a relatively simple piece of equipment, which may be produced at low cost using light weight construction. Nevertheless it is a highly practical unit capable of producing a massaging action fully as beneficial as that found in more complex equipment.

Included in the objects of the present invention is the provision of improved apparatus for massaging under water selected portions of the body, which relies upon the movement of large volumes of low pressure air devoid of water through an unrestricted, full-throated sub- 'merged outlet in a conduit to produce water movement.

Related to this object is the provision of a novel method of massaging using large volumes of low pressure air ejected from an outlet submerged in water.

Another object of this invention is to provide massage apparatus including a manipulator conduit with an unrestricted outlet at one end through which such large volumes of air may flow, where said outlet is contained within a reach of the conduit disposed at a permanent angle with respect to the remainder of the conduit, so that proper positioning of the outlet adjacent areas to be treated is facilitated.

A further object is to provide massage apparatus including a manipulator conduit where such conduit is connected to a source of low pressure air by flexible hose means, and by such a connection is made freely movable within the confines of a tub containing water.

Still another object is to provide such massage apparatus featuring novel valve means mounted on the manipulator conduit remote from an outlet of the conduit, which is adjustable to shunt variable amounts of air to the exterior of the conduit.

As contempalted herein, the massage apparatus may use as its air source the exhaust from an'ordinary vacuum cleaner as marketed for household use.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be brought out in the following description and accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a complete massaging facility according to an embodiment of the invention, such including a tub, a source of low pressure air, and a manipulator conduit supplied air by such source;

FIG. 2 is'a side elevation view of the manipulator conduit on a somewhat enlarged scale, with a portion broken away;

FIG. 3 is another side elevation, showing valve means provided in the manipulator conduit; and

FIG. 4 is the same as FIG. 3, save that the valve means is illustrated in another position.

Referring now to the drawings, and in particular to FIG. 1, a tub is shown filled with water to a level indicated at 12. An occupant 14 lying in a supine position ICC within the tub has the lower portion of his anatomy submerged in the tub water.

Outside the confines of the tub, shown mounted on the floor, is a blower unit 1 for supplying large volumes of air at relatively low pressure. Typically in a home the unit may comprise the motor and blower assembly of a conventional vacuum cleaner. Air is exhausted from unit 16 through exhaust 18. Connected to this exhaust and defining a passage for the flow of air away from the blower unit is an elongated flexible hose 20.

Hose 20, which has imperforate walls, supplies air to end 22a of an elongated, stiff conduit 22, referred to herein as a manipulator conduit. The hose and conduit may be coupled together as by slipping the free end of the hose over the outside of end 22:: (the inlet end) of conduit 22. The manipulator conduit is utilized by the occupant of the tub to discharge large volumes of air under water adjacent areas which it is desired to massage. The flexiblility in the hose enables the occupant to move the manipulator conduit freely about as massaging progresses.

Since the manipulator conduit is made of stiff material the occupant of the tub by maneuvering end 22a adjacent hose 20 is enabled properly to position the opposite end where air is discharged at points remote from his reach. This latter feature is important, of course, when the occupant is in a supine position as shown, and it is desired to produce massaging of locations such as the lower calf, etc.

Preferably, the manipulator conduit is made of some light weight, noncorrosive material, such as a relatively stiff plastic, aluminum, etc. This contributes to ease in handling and eliminates corrosion problems. As used herein, still? may be defined as sufficient rigidity in a conduit 2 to 3 feet in length so that when one end of the conduit is lifted, the other end may be waved about or fully supported in the air, without noticeable bending occurring in the conduit.

Conduit 22 is shown in more detail in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, and reference is now made to these figures as the same is described specifically In the embodiment illustrated the conduit comprises an elongated hollow pipe which typically may range from 2 to 3 feet in length. From end 22a which is coupled to the hose, the conduit extends in a straight reach 22b for most of its length, whence it projects at a permanent angle (approximately at a right angle) to one side, in a reach shown at 22c. Reach 22c terminates in a full-throated, nonrestricted outlet or opening 24. With 'such an opening at the end of the conduit, air is ejected from the conduit as a low velocity high volume stream.

Using the device of the invention, it is desirable that there be control over the amount of air ejected from the outlet opening, and as a consequence a valve means 28 is provided adjacent the inlet end of the conduit or remote from the outlet end, which is adjustable to vary the flow through the outlet. Describing the valve means specifically, 30 and 32 indicate a pair of cutouts provided in the conduit, separated by a circumferential band 34. Snugly seated about the outside of the conduit in the region of cutouts 30, 32 is a slidable sleeve 36. This sleeve is made of a somewhat flexible and resilient material and includes a flap 38 formed by a diagonal cut made inwardly from one side of the sleeve. Joined to the flap and adjacent band 34 is a cam portion 40. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, which show the full open position for the valve, the end of flap 38 protrudes under band 34, and the resiliency in the flap operates to hold the outside of the flap snugly against the inside of band 34.

To close the valve partially, sleeve 36 is shifted upwardly in FIG. 3 relative to the manipulator conduit, to

force flap 38 and its cam portion under band 34. This operates to flex the flap so that it inclines inwardly into the interior of the conduit. With flap 38 bent fully inwardly as in FIG. 4, air flowing through the upper part of the conduit is substantially all directed outwardly through the orifice provided by cutout 30.

In using the massage apparatus of the invention, the manipulator conduit described is connected to flexible hose 20, and blower 16 turned on. The manipulator conduit is grasped by the occupant of the tub and held with opening 24 submerged and end 22:; of the conduit and the valve means above the water level in the tub. With conduit 22 being imperforate save for cutouts 30, 32, this results in low pressure air devoid of water and supplied from the blower unit being exhausted through the outlet 24 into the tub water.

The occupant of the tub then places outlet 24 adjacent the area to be massaged. Flow through the conduit is adjusted by valve means 28, whereby with the outlet submerged, water is not agitated so vigorously so as to cause the same to be thrown out of the tub; The outlet is held with such an air flow, and relative to the area to be massaged, a sufficient distance away from the area to be massaged whereby flow will continue through the outlet, but close enough to the area whereby the large bubbles of air which form adjacent the outlet displace masses of water with such displaced water rhythmically moving the water actually covering the area to be massaged. What might be thought of as a light pounding of the massaged area results, which is soothing and relaxing. Preferably the outlet is moved slowly about the area being treated, so that this light pounding is exerted over a larger area than just the area of outlet 24.

It has been noted that for practical purposes the outlet (and the conduit) should have a diameter of at least about /2 inch, but not more than about 2 inches, i.e., a cross sectional area ranging between about 0.2 and 3 inches. With a much smaller area, bubble size is too small to produce the rhythmic motion desired, and with a larger conduit and opening, difficulties in handling the device are introduced. It has also been noted that outlet 24 for best results should be held distances ranging from about inch to 3 inches from the area to be massaged. With a much greater spacing, it becomes more diflicult to feel water movement produced by air flow from the outlet end.

Various modifications and changes are possible in the construction of the massaging apparatus, without departing from the invention. It is desired not to be limited to the specific embodiment disclosed, but to cover all modifications and variations that would be apparent to one skilled in the art, and that come within the scope of the appended claims.

It is claimed and desired to secure by Letters Patent: 1. Apparatus for producing underwater massage comprising an elongated stiff manipulator conduit having a full opening inlet at one end for the intake of air and a full opening outlet at the other end for the discharge of air, said outlet having a cross-sectional area within the range of about 0.2 to 3 square inches, air-supply means for supplying air devoid of water at relatively low pressure and high volume, and flexible hose means connected to said air-supply means connecting said air-supply means and said inlet of said conduit and accommodating positioning of said full opening outlet adjacent various portions of a users body while the same is submerged in water.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said stiff manipulator conduit has a reach terminating in said other end disposed permanently at an angle with respect to the remainder of the conduit, and wherein valve means is mounted on the said remainder of said manipulator conduit which is adjustable to shunt variable amounts of air to the exterior of the manipulator conduit at a point remote from said other end.

3. As a massaging facility,

a tub containing a pool of water,

a source of low pressure air at high volume outside confines of the tub,

an elongated stifl manipulator conduit within the confines of the tub freely movable to different zones therein and including a full-throated outlet end at one end of the conduit submerged in the water in the tub and facing to one side of the remainder of the manipulator conduit,

said manipulator conduit having imperforate walls progressing from said outlet end to a point above the water level in the tub,

valve means on the manipulator conduit remote from said outlet end and above the water level in the tub actuatable to direct varying amounts of air flowing through the conduit to the exterior of the conduit, and

a flexible imperforate hose connecting said source of low pressure air and the end of said manipulator conduit opposite its said outlet end, and by its flexibility permitting freedom of movement in said manipulator conduit.

4. A method of massaging comprising submerging the area to be massaged under a pool of water, positioning a conduit having a full opening outlet end with said outlet end submerged in the pool of water and adjacent but spaced from the massage area,

forcing air devoid of water and at low pressure through said conduit and said full opening outlet end into the water adjacent the massage area,

rhythmically moving the water covering the massage area by displacing the water adjacent with volumes of air emitted from said outlet end, and

moving said outlet end in a zone about the massage area,

said moving being performed while maintaining the outlet end spaced from the massage area sufficiently to enable air flow to continue uninterruptedly, and close enough to the massage area whereby the displacing of the water with volumes of air produces a sensory eflect in the massage area.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said outlet end has an opening ranging in size from 0.2 to 3 square inches, and said outlet end is maintained at a distance not exceeding about three inches from the massage area.

the

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,633,178 12/1953 Schwartz 12866 X 3,092,101 6/1963 Kinney 128-369 X FOREIGN PATENTS 178,760 11/1906 Germany.

1,612 1909 Great Britain. 268,682 5/ 1950 Switzerland.

RICHARD A. GAUDET, Primary Examiner.

L. W. TRAPP, Assistant Examiner. 

1. APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING UNDERWATER MASSAGE COMPRISING AN ELONGATED STIFF MANIPULATOR CONDUIT HAVING A FULL OPENING INLET AT ONE END FOR THE INTAKE OF AIR AND A FULL OPENING OUTLET AT THE OTHER END FOR THE DISCHARGE OF AIR, SAID OUTLET HAVING A CROSS-SECTIONAL AREA WITHIN THE RANGE OF ABOUT 0.2 TO 3 SQUARE INCHES, AIR-SUPPLY MEANS FOR SUPPLYING AIR DEVOID OF WATER AT RELATIVELY LOW PRESSURE AND HIGH VOLUME, AND FLEXIBLE HOSE MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID AIR-SUPPLY MEANS CONNECTING SAID AIR-SUPPLY MEANS AND SAID INLET OF SAID CONDUIT AND ACCOMMODATING POSITIONING OF SAID FULL OPENING OUTLET ADJACENT VARIOUS PORTIONS OF A USER''S BODY WHILE THE SAME IS SUBMERGED IN WATER. 